AUTHOR=Kaambo Evelyn , Africa Charlene , Chambuso Ramadhani , Passmore Jo-Ann Shelley 

TITLE=Vaginal Microbiomes Associated With Aerobic Vaginitis and Bacterial Vaginosis

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 6 - 2018

YEAR=2018

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2018.00078

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2018.00078

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=A healthy vaginal microbiota is considered to be significant for maintaining vaginal health and preventing infections. However, certain vaginal bacterial commensal species serve an important first line of defence of the body. Any disruption of this microbial barrier might result in a number of urogenital conditions including aerobic vaginitis (AV) and bacterial vaginosis (BV). The health of the vagina is closely associated with inhabitant microbiota. Furthermore, these microbes maintain a low vaginal pH, prevent the acquisition of pathogens, stimulate or moderate the local innate immune system, and further protect against complications during pregnancies. Therefore, this review will focus on microbial “health” in the lower reproductive tract of women and on the physiological characteristics that determine the wellbeing of reproductive health. In addition, we explore the distinct versus shared characteristics of BV and AV, which are commonly associated with increased risk for pre-term delivery.